St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-03-03

v; Lieut.. F. J. Call, Fifth U. S. colored
troops; Maj. B. F. Wright. captain One
Hundred and Forty-sixth New York in
fanny; Gen. L. Ii. Barrett, colonel Sixty
second U. S. colOred infantry; Capt. b. p.
Shuler, Ninth Minnesota infantry, U. S.
V. The commandery decided to publish
"a. book of the commanded as noticed
some days ago. Gen. c. G. Andrews read
prepared paper on the question:
of the surrender of the Third Minnesota
regiment. He presented map showing
the situation of the Third regiment and the
several places near Murfreesboro which
figured in the event. After prefacing his
remarks with explanations of the map and
brief account of the proposed plan of
operation, he began the reading of his
paper. of which the following is brief
synopsis:
GEN. ANDREWS PAPER.
The winter of '6i-'62 was spent by the
Third regiment guarding railroads in Ken
lucky. it being at the same time carefully
disciplined and instructed by its commander,
Col. Lester, who previous to his surrender at
Murfreesboro, had attained a high pitch of
popularity. What the regiment would have
accomplished at Murfreesboro if il had been
led into battle was exempiied by the BRAY
cry of its little camp guard the same day.
While the regiment was in line of battle half
a mile from camp the guard OF the
camp with convalescents and team
sters, in all about fifty men. twice
repulsed three times their number
led by two Confederate field officers, and did
not yield until after a third charge led by
Forrest himself. When the Federal troops
were attacked ut Murfreesville July 10, the
Third Minnesota regiment formed part of the
Twenty-third brigade. The men were in ex-
cellent condition and training. There were
nine H0mnADiaS Of the Third. COmnauV y be-
ing on guard some distance below the town.
AT Murfreesville there was larger stock OF
provisions, and 1t is most wonderful thing
why no Notifications had been thrown up at
that place. July II word was received that
Forrest with a large force was advancing to
Murfreesvlle via McMinnivlle, but we
were not advised of it until
daybreak. Sunday morning, July Is.
Forest came, captured our picket guard be-
fore the latter could resist and then took
Murfreesvie. The Ninth Michigan was sta
toned near and that was attacked,
A GOOD MANY BEING KILLED.
Simultaneous with this attack Foster
marched towards the Third. We rose and adj
vauced with two pieces Of artillery. Forrest
fell back and the Third advanced 800 yards to
point Immediately in front of Murfreesville.
One gun was placed on the pike and during
the forenoon 800 rounds were fired, but with
little effect. While we stood there waiting
for the enemy's approach he was off in another
direction destroying our commissariat. While
we were standing there l approached
our colonel and asked. Are ntu we
going to march on the town. "We'n
see after WHILE he replied. 1
asked thentto be allowed to take ny own
company and go. Only once did the enemy
come within rifle range while we were kept
there waiting for them to appear.
About 2:30 p m, when we were waiting anx-
iously :for chance to fight, flag of truce
appeared. 1t was from our commander to
Col. Lester asking him to enter the city.
When the colonel returned he said the COM
mander, Col. Duffield, recommended general
surrender. The colonel said he would leave it
to his officers. A council was called when
four voted to fight and three to surrender.
Two of the four left the meeting when the
subject was reopened by Col. Lester and on a
ballot three favored surrender while Col.
Griggs and myself opposed it. The majority
ruled and we hal TO surrender. 1t will always
remain an important question how far the
surrender of the Third at Murfreesboro
CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE
of General Buels proposed campaign o
East Tennessee. According to Gen. Grants
view he could have moved the very day of
that misfortune, because the Nashville and
Chattanooga railroad via Murfeesboro was
just then ready for use. To hinder Buells
movement and enable them to reinforce
Chattanooga, the confederates sent Forrest to
cut this communication, in which he was
successful. Buell. was SO delayed by this and
succeeding raids that Chattanooga was not
only reinforced but the confederateS were
enabled to take the offensive and march on
Louisville. If Forrest had been thoroughly
routed at Murfeesboro, as he ought to have
been, and without doubt would have been,
had the Third regiment been led against
him, it seems reasonable to think Buell's
campaign would have been accomplished and
East Tennessee redeemed. After the surren-
der the commissioned officers of the Third
regiment were confined three months in a
rebel prison at Madison, Ca, whence they
were taken to Libby; but the enlisted were
paroled and took part in the Indian war in
Minnesota and at the battle of Wood
Lake fought with almost an excess of bravery.
AT Vicksburg the Third formed part of the
army that watched and fortified againstthe
expected attack Of Gen. Joe Johnston. 1t was
in the campaign and battle of Little Rock and
given the post of honor on the capture Of
that city. and its bearing had a good effect on
the Union cause. At FitZ Hughes woods,
near Augusta, Ark, a detachment of the
Third, after hard combat, repulSed much
superior force under Gen. McCrea. In its
numerous scouting expeditions it gen.
orally returned with some prisoners
of war. Its good fighting qualities
took it from Little Rock to Pine Bluff
where its mortality was very severe, yet
under the circumstances as creditable as il it
had occurred on the battlefield. Gov.
Murphy, the solitary patriot who voted mo-
in the secession convention of Arkansas, and
who afterwards was its first free state gov
ernor, from his own spontaneous impulse,
wrote to Gov. Miller, of Minnesota, about the
Third regiment while they have been on
duty iu our capitol, good order has prevailed,
and they have won the respect and esteem of
the citizen. When called upon to meet the
enemy they have proved ready for any
undertaking, and reliable in every emergency.
Such men are an honor to the government
aud to the cause they serye.''